Postoperative irradiation of brain ependymomas. Analysis of 33 cases

Treatment and final outcome of 33 patients with brain ependymoma were reviewed. All patients had been operated, but the surgical removal was incomplete in the great majority of cases. Radiation therapy was subsequently performed using one of the following techniques; a) partial brain irradiation against the primary involved areas in 17 cases, b) whole brain irradiation plus boost against primary involved sites in 6 cases and c) total craniospinal irradiation in 7 cases. Three patients were not eligible for the present study because of underdosage. Five- and 10-year survival rates were 48 and 38% respectively. A short survey of recent literature is presented. The possible causes of failure and the methods for postoperative irradiation are discussed against the background of literature and our own cases.